Juf
Juf is a village in the municipality of Avers in the canton of Grisons, Switzerland. At above sea level, it is historically the highest village with permanent residents in Western Europe, as well as one of its coldest localities.
As of 2016, Juf had a population of 31 inhabitants divided between six families in a concentrated settlement. They were 20 in 1991 and 30 in 2001. The first inhabitants were immigrant Walser who arrived in 1292.
Geography and climate
Juf is located just above the right banks of the river Jufer Rhein, before its confluence with the Bergalgabach, both forming the Avers Rhine. The small Jufer Rhein valley is enclosed by several summits over 3,000 metre-high, the highest being Mazzaspitz, Piz Piot and Piz Turba. The valley is almost entirely above 2,000 metres.Juf differs from settlements in lower valleys in being well above the tree line, the nearest forest being about 5 kilometres away from the village. As a result, the area experiences a cold and wet climate, classified as an alpine tundra climate, with average temperatures far lower than those of La Brévine, traditionally considered the coldest inhabited place in Switzerland. Snowfalls are possible even during summer.
Wood was transported for building houses and stables, but historically, dry dung fuel from the inhabitants’ animals was burned for fuel. Old structures for drying manure can still be seen on the southern ends of some Juf stables.
Juf is composed of two distinct sections: the highest, at the village entry, and the lowest, at the end of the paved road and near the river.